November 21, 200718 yr Rumors started running late last week that Steve Kragthorpe (9) could be one-and-done at Louisville of his own volition, beating a hasty retreat to Conference USA bottom feeder SMU (10). Sources told The Dash that SMU is interested in Kragthorpe, who made a name for himself turning Tulsa into a mid-major power. The question is whether Kragthorpe, who has significant Texas ties, has reciprocal interest. Initial indications were that Kragthorpe wanted to stay at Louisville, but a source Monday termed it "50-50" whether he'd jump if the SMU job were offered. At the very least, his first season with the Cardinals has been turbulent enough to conceivably make a man reconsider his career move up the food chain. A preseason top 10 team, Louisville has spiraled to 5-6, bottoming out with a 55-17 loss at South Florida on Saturday that was the Cardinals' worst defeat in 20 years. Nobody saw that coming with the skill-position arsenal Louisville returned from its 2006 Orange Bowl champions. But then again, nobody foresaw a defensive collapse and massive off-field turmoil. Kragthorpe has suspended and/or dismissed several players this season. Sources say he inherited a host of problems that former coach Bobby Petrino (11) minimized, managed or swept under the rug while compiling a 41-9 record in four seasons. He also inherited half of Petrino's old staff in an arranged marriage that was encouraged by athletic director Tom Jurich (12). Given the way that's turned out, expect a complete staff overhaul in the offseason. But the biggest disappointment for Kragthorpe might be the seemingly disproportionate fan outrage directed his way. A fan base that appears to have forgotten that Louisville was 1-10 a decade ago has criticized Kragthorpe relentlessly since early in the season, and a good number of them believe two seasons is at least one too many. "If he rides this thing out, he's one tough guy," said one source close to the program. Jurich is squarely in Kragthorpe's corner, which has to help. In fact, Jurich has staked so much of his career to Kragthorpe that he might be a flight risk himself if his coach decides to leave after one year. Jurich had been contacted earlier this year about replacing the retiring Dave Hart at Florida State (13) and Paul Dee at Miami (14). http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=3120053&sportCat=ncf# What a diabolical mess. Jurich has a lot riding on this one. He hired a friend without interviews and a search committee. Seemingly, forced him to keep a part of Petrino's staff. Kragthorpe obviously doesn't have the testicular fortitude to deal with UL, if he is even giving one second thought of Southern Methodist University.
November 21, 200718 yr This whole 50/50 thing is all over the Louisville news like I said in the other thread. This entire situation is about to blow up real soon imo. Krag says he doesn't mind the pressure or criticism from the fans but apparently it's really affecting his family life and we won't allow that to continue.
November 21, 200718 yr Author Rick Robey's son, Sam drives Krag's boy to school. Wonder how those conversations are going...could be telling if Robey doesn't pull the trigger for UL.
November 21, 200718 yr Rick Robey's son, Sam drives Krag's boy to school. Wonder how those conversations are going...could be telling if Robey doesn't pull the trigger for UL. Although I think we've been on Robey pretty good, don't you think it's possible that there are a few other factors pulling Robey elsewhere... such as to an SEC program?
November 21, 200718 yr This is very for real. I'm pretty sure Gasparro is Forde's source, because he's singing an identical tune.
November 21, 200718 yr If he goes he goes.....I would support him in that, because it would be specific to the health of his family. I want him back, and I hope he does stay for two reasons, actually. With that I wish him well in whatever decision he chooses.
November 21, 200718 yr If Kragthope does jump ship, who would be on the Cardinals list of candidates to take over?
November 21, 200718 yr If Kragthope does jump ship, who would be on the Cardinals list of candidates to take over? Only problem though is the message it would send to the coaching world. It looked like a great job to have when Petrino was there, but Kragthorpe leaving after one year would not make it half as inviting in my opinion.
November 21, 200718 yr If Kragthope does jump ship, who would be on the Cardinals list of candidates to take over? I wonder what they would do if Krag left, and Petrino called it quit with the Falcons?
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